Shears that weigh between 1.5 – 2 kg can still prove difficult to manage for a lot of gardeners. Naturally, they are slightly more manageable, but the weight will become noticeable after a while and more rests may be required than with lighter shears.

File the blade. Using a flat sharpening file, match the angle of the bevel on your blade and file the edge – if you do not match the bevel while sharpening, you may ruin the shears.Each of our tested tools cleanly trimmed fresh and slightly dried grass and common lawn weeds (dandelion, clover, henbit, wild onion, etc.) all the way to the blade tip. Several exceeded expectations by pruning green and semi-ripe shoots on holly, boxwood, and juniper. FAQs This is good to look out for. Whilst cheaper shears can be tempting, untreated metal blades made from poor quality steel won’t cut as fluidly. You may find you’re having to work harder than you would if the blades were better quality. The most important feature to consider is whether you want long-handle grass shears that must be operated with both hands or shears that offer one-handed operation. Two-handed models have much less flexibility, but they are more powerful and built to last. One-handed models offer a wide range of features that are not available on two-handed models, but they are designed for lighter-duty tasks. Materials

Weighing 2.4 kg, these shears are a little heavier than many others on the market and require reasonable upper-body strength to use. They also need to be used on edges that have quite a deep gully, due to the depth of the blades, and will be more difficult to use on shallow edges.Longer blades, measuring 21 cm + are more suitable for bigger gardens because they allow more edge to be cut in one go. However, be aware that the bigger the blade, the more depth it needs to open fully. If your verge edges are quite shallow, you may find that longer blades often end up digging into the dirt when you open them.

Remember that shears with long handles (which aren’t telescopic) will require more storage space. Weight and Manageability Although they may be most famed for their razors, Wilkinson Sword do a good line in gardening tools as well, as demonstrated by their Long Handled Edging Shears. As you might expect from Wilkinson Sword, the cutting blades are particularly well designed. The shears weigh 1.48 kg, which is ‘midweight’ for this style of tool – there are lighter models available, but lightness can compromise durability. For the most part, these Wilkinson Sword shears are considered a manageable weight, although more rests may need to be taken depending on mobility and arm strength.There are soft grips on the tops of the handles, to make the shears easier to hold, made from a combination of thermoplastic rubber and polypropylene. We tested these manual grass shears at the beginning of spring on a combination of succulent new grass and weeds, along with old, dry perennial stems from the prior year. Our first goal was to establish each tool’s initial effectiveness and overall user comfort, including all of the various adjustable positions for those with rotating blades. After using them as expected, we attempted to take each one to its operational limit by incrementally cutting tougher vegetation. Bahco tools have a good reputation for quality and value, and their P75 Lawn Edging Shears are no different. For proper wrist alignment and reduced strain, these topping grass shears from Q-yard help gardeners clip grass at an ergonomically correct angle. Suitable for trimming grass along the edges of flowerbeds and driveways, or topping areas of the lawn, these professional-grade shears offer a lightweight and comfortable option. Handles for grass shears should be at least 4 inches, but longer handles are generally better for an easy grip. Handheld options are used in crouching, bending, or kneeling positions. Long-handled shears come with an elongated shaft, enabling users to stand upright while tending to the lawn.

There are three standard types of manual grass shears: edging shears, topping shears, and swivel-blade shears. The handles move smoothly, with a crisp cutting motion, and don’t catch or bounce when they come together.

Offering a good combination of affordability, quality and value, these Bulldog Premier Edging Shears are some of the best edging shears to buy if you’re after a mid-range option. They’re not as expensive as premium shears, but still offer quality construction and durability. For comfort, handles should have a soft coating to protect the hand from blisters. A good grip results from the proper amount of friction between the handle and the hand. Conducive to this friction are nonslip, nonconductive, and compressible materials—rubber handles are a great choice. Highly polished or glossy-coated handles may reduce the amount of friction, promoting an unsafe grip on the shears. Weight and Balance In terms of performance, the 20.5 cm blade, made from forged manganese steel, results in a sharp cut and is easy to use to neaten lawn edges. The tension of the blades is adjustable, using a screw head positioned where the blades join.